Golden boy to share secrets of success

Six-time Olympic gold medallist Michael Phelps will share some of his secrets of success with local swimmers today.

Phelps, who arrived in the SAR last night, will attend a press conference organised by electronic products manufacturer Matsunichi Communication this afternoon at Sham Wan Towers in Ap Lei Chau to promote the brand's new MP3 player.

Joining him will be Canto-pop singers Kenny Kwan Chi-bun and Isabella Leong. The new TV commercial featuring Phelps will also be played.

Phelps, 20, was appointed Matsunichi's ambassador in March. He will fly to Beijing this weekend to conclude his Asian tour.

Today he will conduct a workshop to share his world-class techniques and experience with six young swimmers - Chan Yu-ning, Yip Tsz-wa, Sandy Chan Wing-suet, Michelle Fung Wing-yan, Kevin Chu Kam-yin and Tse Chun-ho.

Phelps was destined to be the centre of attention in Athens from the moment he announced he would try to better the seven gold medals Mark Spitz won in Munich in 1972.

It was an outrageous goal that almost everybody thought was doomed to failure. Even Phelps had his doubts and while he tried to put a lid on the hype by declaring he would be satisfied just to win one gold medal, the promise of a US$1 million bonus only added to the weight of expectation.